According to social media Merseyside has swung towards remaining in the EU.

A week ago social media posts in Merseyside were 63% for Leave and 37% for Remain but the latest analysis show they have switched to 48% for Leave, 51% Remain.

The research is based on analysis of hashtags included in all Brexit related English posts on all major sites including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, forums and blogs.

Merseyside and West Yorkshire are the only counties with higher usage of ‘Remain’ hashtags in comparison with ‘Leave’ hashtags, according to Talkwalker, one of Europe’s biggest providers of advanced social media analytics.

However, the company says that across the entire UK, among posts using ‘Leave’ and ‘Remain’ hashtags, 54.6% advocate ‘Leave’ and 45.4% remain, and only social media posts from Scotland advocate ‘Remain’ on this basis.

Data is based on social media posts analysed from June 14 to June 21, however, it is possible that those advocating “Leave” are using those social media platforms to talk about the referendum more than those in favour of the “In” campaign – and likewise people favouring “Remain” in Merseyside may have become more active on social media in recent days.

Talkwalker CEO Robert Glaesener said social media posts “are the modern advocacy, empowering people to express a gut view” and that they “provide real time evidence of people’s intentions and are taken increasingly seriously”.

According to the research it is widely expected that ‘Brexit’ campaigners are more likely to vote while younger people, who are reported as being more comfortable staying in the EU, do not have a habit of voting.

Yesterday on a visit to a Cheshire factory to support remaining in the EU Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn urged younger voters not to miss the chance of taking part in the referendum and called for a high turnout “so there is seen to be a clear decision”.